Qualitative and quantitative analyses of flavonoids in Spirodela polyrrhiza by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

INTRODUCTION

Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) Schleid. is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of influenza. Despite its wide use in Chinese medicine, no report on quality control of this herb is available so far.

OBJECTIVE

To establish qualitative and quantitative analytical methods by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) for the quality control of S. polyrrhiza.

METHODOLOGY

The methanol extract of S. polyrrhiza was analysed by HPLC/ESI-MS(n). Flavonoids were identified by comparing with reference standards or according to their MS(n) (n = 2-4) fragmentation behaviours. Based on LC/MS data, a standardised HPLC fingerprint was established by analysing 15 batches of commercial herbal samples. Furthermore, quantitative analysis was conducted by determining five major flavonoids, namely luteolin 8-C-glucoside, apigenin 8-C-glucoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, apigenin 7-O-glucoside and luteolin.

RESULTS

A total of 18 flavonoids were identified by LC/MS, and 14 of them were reported from this herb for the first time. The HPLC fingerprints contained 10 common peaks, and could differentiate good quality batches from counterfeits. The total contents of five major flavonoids in S. polyrrhiza varied significantly from 4.28 to 19.87 mg/g.

CONCLUSION

Qualitative LC/MS and quantitative HPLC analytical methods were established for the comprehensive quality control of S. polyrrhiza.